Clwyd West Member of Parliament David Jones has held discussions with Mary Burrows, Chief Executive of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board over the temporary closure of the Minor Injuries Units at Ruthin and Colwyn Bay hospitals.
David Jones said:
“The temporary closure of the MIUs at Ruthin and Colwyn Bay have caused considerable concern to residents of both towns.
“The Chief Executive explained to me the difficulties experienced by the Board in terms of funding and recruitment of staff. However, I received a positive assurance from her that both MIUs will re-open in March, at the end of the temporary closure period.
“This is welcome news, but I am concerned that funding should be an issue. The Welsh Government has responsibility for the funding of health care in Wales and has decided to cut its health budget, despite the fact that health spending has been protected by the Westminster Government. Under the Barnett Formula, £115.00 is passed to Wales for every £100.00 spent on equivalent services in England. In the circumstances, there is no reason whatever why the Welsh Government cannot give the necessary level of support to the health service in Wales so as to ensure, so far as possible, that closures such as this do not happen again.
“I visited the Minor Injuries Unit at Colwyn Bay very recently and have also paid visits on several occasions to Ruthin. Both hospitals are extremely important facilities for their local communities.
“Whilst I was grateful to receive the Chief Executive’s assurances that the closures are temporary only, I would be very concerned indeed if further closures were to happen in future.”
